Thraustochytrids, fatty acid compositions, and methods of making and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention is directed to isolated thraustochytrid microorganisms as well as strains and mutants thereof. The invention is further directed to biomasses, microbial oils, compositions, cultures, methods of producing microbial oils, and methods of using the isolated thraustochytrids, biomasses, and microbial oils.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. An isolated thraustochytrid biomass, wherein at least 50% by weight of the dry cell weight of the biomass are fatty acids, and wherein at least 50% by weight of the fatty acids are omega-3 fatty acids. 
     
     
       2. The isolated thraustochytrid biomass of  claim 1 , wherein at least 50% by weight of the fatty acids is docosahexaenoic acid. 
     
     
       3. An isolated thraustochytrid biomass, wherein at least 25% by weight of the dry cell weight of the biomass is docosahexaenoic acid. 
     
     
       4. The isolated thraustochytrid biomass of  claim 1  or  claim 3 , wherein 10% or less by weight of the fatty acids is eicosapentaenoic acid, and wherein the weight ratio of docosahexaenoic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid is at least 5:1. 
     
     
       5. The isolated thraustochytrid biomass of  claim 4 , wherein 1.5% or less by weight of the fatty acids is arachidonic acid, and wherein the weight ratio of docosahexaenoic acid to arachidonic acid is at least 20:1. 
     
     
       6. The isolated thraustochytrid biomass of  claim 5 , further comprising docosahexaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid n-6 in a weight ratio of at least 10:1. 
     
     
       7. A food product, cosmetic, or pharmaceutical composition for animals or humans, comprising the thraustochytrid biomass of  claim 2  or  claim 4 . 
     
     
       8. The food product of  claim 7 , wherein the food product is an additive for animal or human food. 
     
     
       9. The food product of  claim 7 , wherein the food product is a nutritional supplement. 
     
     
       10. The food product of  claim 7 , wherein the food product is an animal feed. 
     
     
       11. The animal feed of  claim 10 , wherein the animal feed is an aquaculture feed. 
     
     
       12. The animal feed of  claim 10 , wherein the animal feed is a domestic animal feed, a zoological animal feed, a work animal feed, a livestock feed, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       13. The isolated thraustochytrid biomass of  claim 2  or  claim 4 , wherein said biomass further comprising at least one antioxidant. 
     
     
       14. The food product of  claim 7 , wherein said food product further comprising at least one antioxidant. 
     
     
       15. The animal feed of  claim 11 , wherein said animal feed further comprising at least one antioxidant. 
     
     
       16. The isolated thraustochytrid biomass of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one antioxidant is in an amount that is sufficient to inhibit the oxidation of the biomass. 
     
     
       17. The isolated thraustochytrid biomass of  claim 1 , wherein at least 60% by weight of the fatty acids are omega-3 fatty acids. 
     
     
       18. The isolated thraustochytrid biomass of  claim 1 , wherein at least 55% by weight of the fatty acids is docosahexaenoic acid. 
     
     
       19. The isolated thraustochytrid biomass of  claim 1 , wherein at least 30% by weight of the dry cell weight of the biomass is docosahexaenoic acid. 
     
     
       20. A feed product for animals, comprising the thraustochytrid biomass of  claim 17 , wherein said animal feed further comprises at least one antioxidant, wherein said at least one antioxidant is in an amount that is sufficient to inhibit the oxidation of the biomass. 
     
     
       21. A teed product for animals, comprising the thraustochytrid biomass of  claim 18 , wherein said animal feed further comprises at least one antioxidant, wherein said at least one antioxidant is in an amount that is sufficient to inhibit the oxidation of the biomass. 
     
     
       22. A feed product for animals, comprising the thraustochytrid biomass of  claim 19 , wherein said animal feed further comprises at least one antioxidant, wherein said at least one antioxidant is in an amount that is sufficient to inhibit the oxidation of the biomass.